New York car rentals
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New York car rental information
| Pick-up location | New York |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 127 |
| Airport locations | 41 |
| Popular agencies | Turo, Sixt, Thrifty, Hertz |
Cheap car rentals in New York
| Economy | $31/day |
| Compact | $30/day |
| Intermediate | $31/day |
| Standard | $32/day |
| Full-size | $29/day |
| Minivan | $36/day |
| Full-size SUV | $37/day |
| Supplier choice | $29/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $32/day |
| Standard SUV | $33/day |
| Compact SUV | $33/day |
Top tips for renting a car in New York
- There are several toll roads and bridges in New York. I-87, I-90, and the New York Thruway in Upstate New York are tolled. You’ll pay a toll for all tunnels and bridges from New Jersey to Manhattan. Most bridges and tunnels in New York will need you to pay a toll fee. However, bridges like Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queensborough, and Williamsburg are toll-free. The toll payments are in cash for most of the tunnels and bridges. However, cash payments do not apply for tolls on the Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing.
- Several highways connect New York City to New York state. Learn about these routes and navigate cheap car rentals in New York smoothly throughout New York State. The main motorway serving all boroughs in New York is Interstate 278. It also connects New York to New Jersey. The Long Island Expressway is the route from midtown Manhattan to the east of Long Island. The road connecting most parts of the city is 7th Avenue. It starts from Greenwich Village to Central Park and runs through Times Square and Midtown.
- The drive from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to lower Manhattan takes approximately 30 minutes. The distance is about 18 miles. From the rental parking lot, head to the Cargo Service Road. Continue for a few minutes, then take a right to N Service Road. Join the slip road by taking the first exit on N Service Road. Then, turn onto I-678 N and continue driving for about seven miles. Join I-395 W by taking exit 12B. At exit 17 W, use the right two lanes, then join I-278 W for another about four miles. Take exit 29 and follow the road signs heading to Brooklyn Bridge. Take the second exit to make a right turn onto the bridge, which leads straight to lower Manhattan.
- One of the major advantages of renting a car in New York City is that it makes the outlying boroughs much more accessible. For instance, places like Rockaway Beach in Queens, Red Hook in Brooklyn, and City Island in the Bronx are all much easier to reach via car than by public transportation.
- For travelers with flights landing at LaGuardia Airport, all rental shuttles pick up and drop off from in front of Terminal A of the airport. As for JFK International Airport, rental car desks can be found on the Arrivals level of each terminal. At Newark International Airport, the car rental desks are found in Stations P2 and P3 on the AirTrain.
- Rush hour is an undeniable part of life in New York City. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be mitigated. Typically morning the busy morning traffic lasts from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., while the afternoon and evening traffic is usually from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should take care, though, that those are the busiest times, but often rush hour can start even earlier in the morning and last even later at night. Some of the main areas to avoid during rush hour include the Lincoln Tunnel and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Biking is very popular in New York City and drivers should remain careful and aware of the bikers around them. Make sure to always check your mirrors when turning right and when opening a door, as you never know when a biker could pop up behind you.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in New York for $58 or less
- Book your rental car in New York at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in New York are around 7% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Intermediate rental cars in New York are around 13% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in New York
What type of car is recommended for driving in New York?
Smaller vehicles are highly recommended for vacation-goers in New York City, especially if you plan to use a rental car as your main form of transportation. There are many one-way streets and smaller alleys that can be difficult to navigate with a larger car. It can also be difficult to find streetside parallel parking spots large enough to suit anything above a mid-sized vehicle.
What’s the speed limit in New York?
A wide range of speed limits will be seen in New York City, but the most important detail to note is that the speed limit is always 25 mph unless signage says otherwise. On highways throughout New York, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph and the minimum is 45 mph, unless posted otherwise.
Where are the best places to park in New York?
Streetside parking in New York City is incredibly difficult to find, especially in areas such as Manhattan. Thus, many drivers rely heavily on parking garages for both daily and hourly parking. However, planning must be done in advance as many of the garages can fill up fast, so it pays to plan ahead of time to know which garages are most convenient for your destination.
How much does it cost to rent a car in New York?
On average a rental car in New York costs $75 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in New York found in the last 2 weeks is $51.
What is the best rental car company in New York?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in New York are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.4, 244 reviews), Alamo (8.4, 234 reviews), and Avis (7.0, 309 reviews).
How much is gas price in New York?
The average gas price in New York is $4.27 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $51 and $68, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in New York?
Intermediate (Class Intermediate SUV or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in New York.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at John F Kennedy Intl airport (JFK)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from John F Kennedy Intl airport to off-airport locations include Advantage, Hertz, Budget, Dollar, Alamo, Avis, Thrifty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Payless, and National.
How can I find car rentals near me in New York?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in New York?
An Intermediate car rental in New York costs $91 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car rental cost in New York?
A Special car rental in New York costs $85 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car rental cost in New York?
A Mini car rental in New York costs $139 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in New York?
On average a rental car in New York costs $524 per week ($75 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in New York?
On average a rental car in New York costs $2,244 per month ($75 per day).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in New York?
Most car rental providers in New York offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in New York, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in New York?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 35 car rental agencies in New York.
Which car rental companies in New York have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Some car rental companies in New York which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Hertz, Budget and Dollar
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in New York?
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in New York?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in New York so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Is there free cancellation when I rent a car in New York?
New York car rentals allow renters to cancel reservations at least 24 hours, or 48 hours, before pick up free of charge. SIXT, Europcar, and Alamo have a free cancellation policy for rentals acquired in New York.
What is the return policy for car rentals in New York?
The return policy of your car rental will depend on your rental car provider. Cheap car rentals in New York can either be dropped off during your provider’s opening hours or after-hours at an extra free. For instance, at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Avis, Budget, and Hertz operate 24 hours, so drop-offs are done anytime.
New York car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
6.8
Okay
1104 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
6.6
18 locations in New York
Locations in New York
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Nov 2022
8.0 Very good
Nov 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
6.0 Okay
Jan 2022
Budget
6.3
Okay
1320 reviewsCleanliness
6.9
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.1
Value for money
6.4
8 locations in New York
Locations in New York
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Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Sep 2023
8.0 Very good
Aug 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2022
Dollar
5.9
Fair
1097 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.7
Value for money
5.8
6 locations in New York
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2021
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
Not an enjoyable experience at allCons:
Pickup — staff was both rude and incompetent. When picking up, I asked to change my dropoff date. After huffing about it, the staff person told me the new price... but conveniently forgot to update the reservation because I was later charged an early return fee. So then I obviously had to call to get it reversed — which no one likes wasting their time doing. Why couldn’t this have been simple and seamless, as usual? Only one reason - the staff. Dropoff — again, the staff person was exceptionally rude. She asked me to get in line when I was only literally mentioning that I was dropping off. Not EVERYONE is trying to cut in line all the time! Sometimes we just don’t want to wait for 6 other people to get helped for a 1 second FYI!10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
ExcellentCons:
-2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
My reservation was for 3pm. I arrived a little after 3 and the rental location was closed. Nowhere on the app or in the reservation process was it made clear that the location closed at 3. I tried to make another reservation somewhere, but the Kayak app showed no cars available anywhere. Literally none. Very, very disappointed in the whole experience. And I’d like a refund of the $22 pre-paid in insurance for a car I never got.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
It took over two hours to pick up the car2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
There were no cars available upon arrivals and dollar employees had no idea when they would be.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8.4
Very good
429 reviewsCleanliness
8.3
Comfort
8.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
8.0
16 locations in New York
Locations in New York
Filters
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
No!!Cons:
Called me and told me we will call you around 3 to confirm your pickup never called Back.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly and attentive. The car was greatCons:
Na10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
Very respectful of COVID precautions, very little interaction but still friendly, helpful sales representatives.10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
AllCons:
Nothing10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2020
Pros:
greatCons:
nothing10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2020
Pros:
It was all really simple to deal with, the car was super clean and easy to drive, no issues!Cons:
Nothing.Alamo
8.4
Very good
455 reviewsCleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
8.2
4 locations in New York